District of Columbia is The City Beautiful
By the late nineteenth century, the problem of overcrowded tenements of major American cities had reached crisis proportions. Substandard "rookeries" of windowless compartments crammed with multiple families were prone to collapse and fire, and the lack of proper sanitation spread disease. Urban planning, government leaders thought, was the answer to this blight and would transform communities into safer, happier, and healthier places to live. In Chicago, Architect Daniel Burnham was designing the "White City," what planners of the 1893 Columbian Exposition
Top Five Most-Visited Tourist Attractions in Washington
If you're thinking about visiting Washington, DC you should know that Washington's most-visited tourist destinations are quite deserving of their popularity. 5. National World War II Memorial The newest war memorial on the National Mall, the National World War II Memorial boasts some five million yearly visitors. Dedicated to all Americans who served in the conflict, its two towers symbolize the two theaters of the war (Atlantic and Pacific) and its 56 columns represent the U.S. states and territories that contributed to the
How to Do All of the Free Stuff in Washington, DC
(A Non-Exhaustive) List of Free Things in DC 1. The Smithsonian Institution and associated museums The Smithsonian Institution is the largest complex of museums in the world. Between the Capitol and Washington Monument are more than a dozen museums and galleries, including Smithsonians, that charge no entry fee: The newest Smithsonian! The National Museum of African American History and Culture* National Museum of American History* National Museum of Natural History* National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden National Gallery of Art - West Building (old master paintings)*
Five Family-Friendly Things to Do in DC
Washington is full of fun activities for families. Check out these five great options: 1. The National Mall We recommend any trip to Washington include a tour of the National Mall. Some of the nation's most iconic architecture is on the Mall, including the Capitol Building, White House, Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial. And the price is hard to beat: there's nothing more family-friendly than free! 2. The National Arboretum If you're interested in something a little off the beaten path, look no further
Five Spots for Authentic Washington, DC Dining.
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a traveler in search of food must be in want of a bit of authenticity. Authentically Washingtonian dining options can be found across the District and across all budgets. A few most worth checking out: 1. Old Ebbitt Grill Old Ebbitt Grill, at 675 15th Street NW, is Washington's oldest bar and restaurant. If you're looking for a perfect mix of authentically D.C. with good food and reasonable prices, you really can't do a lot better
Five Best-Kept Secrets of Washington
Want to be an instant insider in the District? Check out these five fantastic hidden gems and you'll be able to impress anyone with your knowledge! 1. The Einstein Memorial - An instant favorite for young and old, the Einstein Memorial on the grounds of the National Academy of Sciences is at once impressive in scale and surprisingly clever. Robert Berks' unique sculpture is a thoughtful and relaxed depiction of the beloved physicist. Einstein holds in his hand a sheet of paper
Helen Keller and Washington, DC
Helen Keller was the first deaf-blind person ever to earn a bachelor's degree. Her story is one of challenge and triumph—and a little bit of our nation's capital. Helen Keller was born June 27, 1880, in Tuscumbia, Alabama. It might have been meningitis or scarlet fever that left her deaf and blind. Whatever it was, at 19 months, Helen Keller would neither see nor hear as long as she lived. Her parents, desperate for a way to help their daughter communicate, took her to
Three Things You Will See on a Grand Atlas Essential DC Tour
Want to see what you're "supposed to see" in DC? Grand Atlas can show you: On the Essential DC Tour, you'll get right up close to what makes Washington so famous. And Grand Atlas will make you feel like a VIP! Here are a few things you will see, but of course we'll show you so much more. You can read about all of the things you'll see on the Washingtonian tour here. 1. The White House Positively no visit to Washington is
Meridian Hill and Political Geography
“‘What’s the good of Mercator’s North Poles and Equators, Tropics, Zones, and Meridian Lines?’ So the Bellman would cry: and the crew would reply ‘They are merely conventional signs!’” — Lewis Carroll - The Hunting of the Snark The Earth spins on an axis. This means that the equator, halfway between the poles, divides the earth into northern and southern hemispheres. The equator can be nowhere else. Its placement is determined by the physical world and lines of latitude are given values according to
Five facts for Pokemon Go players when visiting the FDR Memorial
There's a Laprus on the National Mall. It's at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial. Of all the presidential memorials in Washington, Roosevelt's is the newest, dedicated in 1997. It is in prime cherry blossom territory come springtime and is a major tourist draw all year. It's also large. Over seven acres of space, the FDR Memorial encompasses all four of his terms across 13 years. There's a lot to see—and a lot to miss! Make sure you don't overlook these five elements